Jason Robards and
Colleen Dewhurst star in this made-for-TV adaptation of
Eugene O'Neill's final play, featuring the cast and director of the award-winning 1974 Broadway production. James Tyrone Jr. (Robards) is a washed-up former actor whose dreams of stardom on Broadway were washed away by alcoholism and emotional irresponsibility. James makes a meager living renting property; Phil Hogan (
Ed Flanders) is an Irish immigrant, who, along side his outwardly gruff daughter, Josie (Dewhurst), works a small farm he's renting from James. James wants to sell the farm and is interested in making a deal with his well-to-do neighbors. Phil hatches a scheme by which Josie will talk James into selling the land to them instead, for a lower price. As James and Josie's conversation veers away from business, they begin to open up to one another about their dreams, their fears, and their many disappointments, and the two begin to realize just how much they have in common -- as well as how wide a gulf separates them.
Ed Flanders received an Emmy award for his performance in this production of A Moon for the Misbegotten; Jason Robards and
Colleen Dewhurst also received nominations for their work. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide